Brahman Hills has once again been honoured with the Renewable Efficiency & Green Initiatives Award at the KZN Top Business Awards, marking its second consecutive win in the category.
The recognition reflects the work already taking place across the property, where Brahman Hills invests in renewable energy, manages water responsibly, reduces waste, protects biodiversity and continues to find better ways to care for the land it calls home.
According to Onwaba Gonyora, Director at Brahman Hills, sustainability is woven into the daily rhythm of how the property operates, grows and welcomes its guests.
“Here, sunlight becomes energy. Food waste is transformed into nourishment for the soil. Water is carefully collected, recycled and returned to the gardens. Bees move between blossoms, supporting the living ecosystems that make the property a sanctuary for people and nature alike,” she says.
“For us, sustainability isn’t a side project. It’s part of how we believe exceptional hospitality should be experienced: with care, intention and respect for the natural beauty of the Midlands.”
That care can be felt across the estate, but it can also be measured. Brahman Hills:
- Operates 85% off-grid through solar energy
- Saves an estimated 477 tonnes of CO₂ annually
- Harvests rainwater and recycles greywater
- Composts more than 1,200 kilograms of organic waste each year, sourced from kraal manure and food byproducts
- Organic gardens are mulched from a combination of chicken litter and recycled leaves
- Has replaced more than 36,000 plastic bottles with glass alternatives
- Has reduced guest-room water usage by up to 50% through water-saving showers
- Has planted more than 1,500 trees
- Chosen as the second site for the Sigma Tourism & Travel Green Lung model, launched in May 2026
- Has established 12 active handcrafted, Zulu hut-inspired beehives that support biodiversity
This long-term commitment is also shaping the Serenity Garden, a 22-hectare conservation, wellness and eco-tourism project currently under development at Brahman Hills.
At its heart will be what is expected to become the world’s largest labyrinth, creating a landmark space for reflection, healing and reconnection with nature. The development is designed to strengthen biodiversity, support pollinator populations and create lasting environmental, social and economic value.
Together, these initiatives demonstrate that sustainability at Brahman Hills is not theoretical. It is lived each day across energy, water, waste, food, biodiversity and the guest experience.
Gonyora says the award belongs to the team whose dedication turns this belief into action every day, as well as to the guests and partners who support a more responsible way of experiencing nature.
“Every solar panel, water system, beehive, tree and garden bed is carried forward by a team committed to finding better ways to care for the land Brahman Hills calls home. This commitment reaches beyond reducing our impact. It’s about caring for this land so that, 100 years from now, it remains a thriving sanctuary of serenity, wellness and excellence for our children’s children.”
“A special thank you to KZN Top Business for this meaningful recognition. We are incredibly grateful for the platform it provides to highlight the importance of businesses finding better, more responsible ways to operate,” Gonyora concludes.
To discover more about Brahman Hills and its sustainability journey, visit www.brahmanhills.co.za.
